diff --git a/src/spdx/document_utils.py b/src/spdx/document_utils.py
index 10947a719..74a49faf9 100644
--- a/src/spdx/document_utils.py
+++ b/src/spdx/document_utils.py
@@ -9,8 +9,12 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 from typing import List
+from typing import Union
 
 from spdx.model.document import Document
+from spdx.model.snippet import Snippet
+from spdx.model.package import Package
+from spdx.model.file import File
 
 
 def get_contained_spdx_element_ids(document: Document) -> List[str]:
@@ -18,3 +22,12 @@ def get_contained_spdx_element_ids(document: Document) -> List[str]:
     element_ids.extend([package.spdx_id for package in document.packages])
     element_ids.extend([snippet.spdx_id for snippet in document.snippets])
     return element_ids
+
+
+def get_element_from_spdx_id(document: Document, spdx_id: str) -> Union[Package, File, Snippet, None]:
+    elements = [file_ for file_ in document.files]
+    elements.extend([package_ for package_ in document.packages])
+    elements.extend([snippet_ for snippet_ in document.snippets])
+    for element in elements:
+        if element.spdx_id == spdx_id:
+            return element